Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (2024)

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This Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish. Smooth, creamy sweet potatoes with a sweet crunchy pecan topping that is gluten free, dairy free, and naturally sweetened.

Growing up we always had sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving. I think most people do- and it is usually packed with sugar. The version we made was with canned sweet potatoes that have corn syrup and sugar added (!!) and then we proceeded to add more sugar. Needless to say it tasted good, but was more like dessert than a side dish.

This made-over healthier version is still sweet, but not over-the-top sweet. I used coconut sugar since it’s low glycemic, more than honey or maple. It also has an amazing carmel-y brown sugar flavor. Real sweet potatoes take place of the canned kind. They are cooked and mashed with some coconut oil, almond milk, coconut sugar, and cinnamon. Then a couple eggs are added to help bind it all together.

When making the sweet potatoes you have option on how to cook them. I really wanted to use my Instant Pot, but know not everyone has one so I went with the traditional stove-top. So here are the ways:

  • Stove-top: Peel and cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. In a large pot cover them with cold water, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Cover and cook until fork tender- about 20-23 minutes. Drain and add back to pot.
  • Oven: Preheat oven to 450° degrees. Wash potatoes and place them on a baking sheet. Bake until soft and a fork easily goes through the center- about 1-1 1/2 hours. Let cook enough to handle and slice in half. Scoop the inside out into a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.
  • Instant Pot: Peel and cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. Place in Instant Pot and add 3/4 cup water. Place the lid on and close the valve. Hit the “manual” button and reduce it to 8 minutes. Quick release and drain.

Now lets talk about the star of the dish– THE PECAN TOPPING!! Pure deliciousness! It gives a much needed crunch to the soft sweet potatoes. It is basically candied pecans and the most delicious topping ever! You will love how easy it is to make, just a mixture of chopped pecans, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and coconut oil. When it bakes it turns into irresistible clusters that are sweet and crunchy. Like a streusel topping and it’s so good!

This dish can be made partly ahead of time. The sweet potatoes can be cooked, mashed with all their ingredients and put in a baking dish then refrigerated. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge for at least 30 minutes, top with pecan mixture and bake. That should make your Thanksgiving so much easier! You can even have most of the pecan mixture ready by chopping the pecans and measuring out the almond flour.

You will love this version of the traditional side dish. It will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving meal.

Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (8)

Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole

Print Recipe

  • CourseSide Dish
  • KeywordDairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes

Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (9)

Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole

Print Recipe

  • CourseSide Dish
  • KeywordDairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Layer

  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup Golden Barrel Coconut Oil, melted
  • 3/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

Pecan Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups chopped raw pecans
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons Golden Barrel Coconut Oil, room temperature

Servings:

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° and get a out an 8x11 baking dish. This could also be made in a 13x9, but won’t be as thick.

  2. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place them in a large pot, cover them with cold water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring them to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook until fork tender. 20-23 minutes.

  3. While sweet potatoes are cooking, make the pecan topping. In a medium bowl combine pecans, sugar, almond flour, cinnamon and salt. Add the coconut oil and mix until well combined. I find using my hands works best for this. The mixture should be the consistency of wet sand that will pack if you squeeze it into a ball.

  4. Once sweet potatoes are done, drain and add them back to the pot. Add in coconut oil and almond milk and mash until smooth. Add in coconut sugar and cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt and mix again.

  5. Stir in eggs and mix until completely combined. Use an immersion blender if desired.

Recipe Notes

Two other ways of making the sweet potatoes:

  • Oven: Preheat oven to 450° degrees. Wash potatoes and place them on a baking sheet. Bake until soft and a fork easily goes through the center- about 1-1 1/2 hours. Let cook enough to handle and slice in half. Scoop the inside out into a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.
  • Instant Pot: Peel and cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. Place in Instant Pot and add 3/4 cup water. Place the lid on and close the valve. Hit the "manual" button and reduce it to 8 minutes. Quick release and drain.

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21 thoughts on "Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole"

  1. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (14) Melissa says:

    November 22, 2017

    I see the insta pot recipe what about just a regular crockpot? Will a crockpot work too?

    Reply

    1. November 22, 2017

      Hi Melissa- that may work for the sweet potato layer. Put the sweet potatoes and water in the slow cooker and let cook until tender, about 3-4 hours, then mash with other ingredients (coconut oil, almond milk, etc.) and continue with the rest of the recipe. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  2. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (16) Jennifer says:

    November 23, 2017

    Can’t wait to try this! Have you tried to pre make this? I’m doubling my recipe for 2 separate thanksgiving meals, one is today and one is Saturday. Should I make up until the topping, store until Saturday and then make the topping and bake? Trying to save myself as much time as possible!

    Reply

    1. November 23, 2017

      Hi Jennifer- you can double the sweet potato mixture and store it until Saturday. Yes, just make the filling and don’t top until before baking. Hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have more questions.

      Reply

  3. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (18) Kristen says:

    November 23, 2017

    Did you melt the coconut oil and then let cool to room temp?

    Reply

    1. November 23, 2017

      Hi Kristen- no, I just give the coconut a good stir so there are no large pieces. It’s a little hard right now since it’s cold, but warming it and letting it cool would take a while. You want it to be the consistency of room temperature butter. I hope that helps!

  4. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (20) CC says:

    December 13, 2017

    This was so good! We will be having again for Christmas!!

    Reply

    1. December 14, 2017

      Thanks, CC! I’m so glad you enjoyed it enough to make again. Thanks for the great feedback!

      Reply

  5. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (22) Amanda says:

    November 8, 2018

    I am looking to make this for our Friendsgiving. We will have around 30+ people. Would doing a double batch be enough?

    Reply

    1. November 8, 2018

      Hi Amanda- I don’t think a double batch is enough unless there will be so much food that you don’t think everyone will eat it. I’d say triple it to be safe. Hope everyone enjoys!

      Reply

      1. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (24) Amanda says:

        November 9, 2018

        Thank you Jessica for your quick response! There will be a lot of food so I went with a double batch. I’m sure it will go quickly though – I can’t wait to dive in to this deliciousness!

        Reply

        1. November 12, 2018

          You’re welcome, Amanda! Hope it was enjoyed!

          Reply

  6. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (26) Anissa Hernandez says:

    November 20, 2018

    Hello!
    Can you microwave the sweet potatoes instead of baking them in oven?

    Reply

    1. November 20, 2018

      Hi Anissa- Yes, that will work. Enjoy!

      Reply

      1. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (28) Anissa Hernandez says:

        November 21, 2018

        Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply

        1. November 21, 2018

          Happy Thanksgiving to you!

          Reply

  7. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (30) Frankie Bea-Ayco CDC k says:

    November 20, 2018

    Do you have to mash I like mine lumpy just smash with fork. Is that ok?

    Reply

    1. November 20, 2018

      Yes, however you like it. Enjoy!

      Reply

  8. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (32) Jen says:

    December 25, 2018

    In the instant pot does the topping come out crispy like an over would?

    Reply

    1. December 26, 2018

      Hi Jen- the Instant Pot is only for the sweet potatoes, it would still be topped and baked in the oven. I hope that helps. Enjoy!

      Reply

  9. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (34) Chelsea says:

    December 29, 2018

    Have you tried this with any other flours? I don’t have almond on hand but I have coconut or tapioca flours, will either of these work?

    Reply

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Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole - Golden Barrel Thanksgiving recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between sweet potato pie and sweet potato casserole? ›

The difference is that sweet potato casserole can either have a toasted marshmallow top or a crunchy brown sugar/nut top and is made with brown sugar in the casserole. Sweet potato pie is made with white sugar, has nothing on top, but can be served with whipped topping.

How long does it take to boil yams? ›

As a basic guideline, you want to cook whole sweet potatoes for about 40 minutes, 2-inch cubed sweet potatoes for about 25 minutes, and 1-inch cubed sweet potatoes for about 15 minutes. But I always recommend using the fork-tender test instead of strict timeframes.

How long do sweet potatoes last? ›

How long sweet potatoes last in normal room temperature depends on many factors, and it's best to keep them in a pantry to last 3–5 weeks. You can also store sweet potatoes in the fridge for 2–3 months, or freeze them to last even longer.

Are candied yams and sweet potato casserole the same thing? ›

Spoiler: They're not the same vegetable.

That's because sweet potatoes and yams are in fact very different vegetables that we've come to refer to interchangeably for a number of reasons over the years. While a dish may arrive at your table calling itself "candied yams," it may well have been made with sweet potatoes.

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

Do sweet potatoes need to be soaked in water after peeling? ›

Some dishes may require peeling, just like other potatoes. While you are preparing your other ingredients, keep peeled and sliced sweet potatoes in a bowl of water to prevent them from drying out if you are not using them right away.

Do I have to boil yams before baking? ›

Do you boil yams before baking? Boiling yams before baking help reduce the baking time. You can certainly boil them before cooking but I love yams that have been slowly roasted in the oven.

Should I soak yams before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

Can you eat sweet potato raw? ›

Sweet-tasting tuberous roots of sweet potato are well-rounded nutritional powerhouses with a great deal of dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants [15]. Therefore, eating raw sweet potato can effectively contribute to weight loss. However, selecting a raw sweet potato with a good flavor can be challenging.

What are the black dots on my sweet potatoes? ›

Sweet potatoes in storage are commonly infected with the bread mold fungus, which causes a watery soft rot of part or all of the tuber. The fungus may be seen as a fluffy, white growth, with black dots supported on threads.

When should you throw out sweet potatoes? ›

How to tell if sweet potatoes have gone bad. If your sweet potato is soft in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato should be discarded. Another sign that sweet potatoes have taken a turn for the worse is if they start growing stalky purplish sprouts.

What are the black spots on the inside of sweet potatoes? ›

Internal necrosis is a physiological disorder, not caused by a pest or pathogen, where the sweetpotatoes develop black spots and patches on the inside of the root. These black patches are only found in the end of the root closest to where the vine was.

What is the difference between a casserole and a pie? ›

A pot pie has at least a pastry crust on top (and often all around the contents), while a casserole has no crust (or maybe a top “crust” of something that's not pastry, like crushed potato chips).

What is sweet potato casserole made of? ›

Whisk together the butter, mashed sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs in a large bowl. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, butter and salt in a medium bowl until moist and the mixture clumps together. Stir in the pecans.

Is sweet potato casserole a dessert or a side dish? ›

Sweet Potato Casserole is a traditional and classic American side dish served on Thanksgiving. This casserole is a dessert-like side dish made of a mashed sweet potato filling with a crunchy pecan topping.

Are there two types of sweet potatoes? ›

There are five main types of sweet potato that are commonly consumed today—Garnet, Hannah, Japanese, Jewel, and Purple Stoke.

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